METHOD OF MEASUREMENT
STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

COMMON ACRONYMS
SMM

COMMON STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

1. Principles of Measurement (International) For Works of Construction JUNE 1979, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, (RICS)
2. CESMM4, Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, Fourth edition, The Institution of Civil Engineers.
3. SMM7: Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works.
4. RICS NRM: New Rules of Measurement
5. Australian and New Zealand Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works (ANZSMM)
6. Estimating and Measurement for Simple Building Works in Hong Kong, Caroline T. W. Chan
7. Managing Measurement Risk in Building and Civil Engineering, Peter Williams
8. Standard Method of Measuring Building Work for Africa 2015, African Association of Quantity Surveyors (AAQS)
9. Method of Measurement for Highway Works, Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW): https://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/ha/standards/mchw/vol4/sect1/4_1.pdf

DEFINITION
It is a reference document stating rules, limitations, inclusions, exclusions and provisions that could be applied in the measurement of works for all major tasks, trades, sections and elements of construction projects. This is normally associated with the bill of quantities of a tender/ project and becomes a part of tender/ contract documentation. It is alse called Standard Method of Measurement (SMM). There are various ways of measurement.

1. Direct Method: Quantity is obtained directly without any calculations. For example, measurements by using scales, vernier callipers, micrometers, bevel protector etc. The physical balance directly measures the weight of the matter. This method is most widely used in production.
2. Indirect Method: Quantity is obtained with calculations by measuring something else. e.g. The physical parameters of the quantity are measured by the direct method, and then the numerical value of the quantity is determined by the mathematical relationship. The length, breadth and height of the substance is measured by the direct method and then by the help of the formula W = Length X Breadth X Height X Density, the weight of the substance is known. in the same way, the Pythagorean theorem is also a good example of indirect measurements.
3. Absolute Method: The measurement which is not derived from other measurements. Fundamental measures are estimated directly from observation (such as height and weight), rather than derived indirectly by means of other measures (such as density and electrical resistance).
4. Comparative Method: In this method the value of the quantity to be measured is compared with known value of the same quantity or other quantity practically related to it.
5. Deflection Method: In this method the value of the quantity to be measured is directly indicated by a deflection of a pointer on a calibrated scale.

WHY
The document provides a standard set of measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement and whole-life costing for construction projects. It provides reasons work is measured the way it is standardised. It provides a foundation about the measurement principles which can be used to measure the design quantities as well as the actual work as-built quantities. This sets a standard to minimize any misunderstanding between owners and contractors in the way works are quantified and paid. The document also advises which units of measurement shall be used for a work item/ activity.

WHEN
The Bill of Quantities is generally prepared before the invitation for tenders. Bill of Quantities in accordance with the detailed rules/ methods of measurement requires an extremely thorough and systematic interrogation of the drawings and specifications prepared by the designer. It is needless to say that preparation of a bill of quantities is the next best thing to actually constructing the works in determining the “completeness” of the design, and very often it is not only the “completeness” of the design that can be verified, but also aspects of its “adequacy”. The standard method of Measurement is also very useful in determining the cost impacts of deviations.

HOW
The Standard Method of Measurement in conjunction with the Bill of Quantities, constitute a model, that is common to all stakeholders, tenderers, and clients, and helps in evaluating the the prices from tenderers. It ensures that tenders are obtained on the same basis i.e. based on the same “model”. The alternative is to let the tenderers prepare their own models/ quantities, which will make comparisons difficult and also might result in selecting a tenderer who made the most mistakes.

EXAMPLES

1. Cutting or altering opening in structure: This item shall include lintels, arches and making good to jambs and finishes
2. Removal of larger trees and tree stumps exceeding 1m high: This item shall state the girth around the trunk 1m high above ground level. The girth should be grouped in sizes exceeding 200mm and not exceeding 500mm girth and thereafter in stages of 500mm. The item shall state whether roots are to be grubbed up and holes filled in, stating the method and/or degree of compaction required
3. Bulk excavation, excavations for trenches and excavations for holes: This item shall be separated into successive depths of 2m related to the original or reduced ground level as the case may be
4. Open face excavation such as cutting or levelling: In this item no distinction is made for depths of sloping sites
5. Excavated material to be carted away from the site: This item Shall be given as extra over all excavations and, if to be dumped in a prescribed place, the location and approximate distance shall be stated in stages of distance as 10km, 30km, 100km etc., as deemed appropriate.